Last election, the Atherton police union endorsed candidates for town council amidst outcry of conflict of interests. After all, the town council sets their pay and contract.

The candidate they endorsed was Elizabeth Lewis. Beloved former Police Chief Dick Moore didn't get their endorsement. Wow. What gives?

This time, no endorsements from them. I don't believe any candidate would be associated with it even if it were offered.

If that isn't a wakeup call I don't know what is.

Like most excess, the pendulum often swings in the opposite direction. The APD became a bubble of arrogance and impunity on the false charges against John Johns and rough treatment of Brian Bothun. The peak of the bubble was probably the notion they were going to falsify charges against a resident with no consequences.

But here's a message to the department: we want you to be respected again. Change is tough. It starts with admitting something needs to change.